Days Out: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

AD/Press Trip. One of our favourite places to visit is The Lowry and Salford Quays. There’s so much to do there, from the Imperial War Museum North, The Lowry Outlet, Blue Peter Garden and of course The Lowry itself. There’s always something fun on and it’s worth a visit just for a look around the galleries upstairs, but during the school holidays there’s even more fun on offer.

This week we were invited to visit The Lowry, have lunch at Pier Eight and watch their summer blockbuster – We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, followed by an actual bear hunt. With summer holiday boredom seriously kicking in at home, we relished the chance to have an afternoon of bear hunting at The Lowry.

Days Out: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

We began by having lunch at Pier Eight. I’ve eaten there before in the evening and the food has always been excellent. We ordered from the new bar menu, the boy chose pasta from the kids menu, and I chose four of the small plates. There is currently a lunchtime offer where you can get four small plates and two drinks for £18, which is really good value.

Days Out: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

I chose the soup of the day, which was celeriac, one of my favourites. I also ordered the dirty fries, topped with cheese, crispy onions and spicy mayo. There was a dish of falafel and hummus and some delicious broad bean bruschetta. It would have been a very fine lunch for two, but definitely a delicious but too big lunch for one!

Days Out: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

After lunch we made our way to The Quays theatre for the 2pm performance of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The boy is 8 now and I did wonder if he might be a little too old for it, but I needn’t have worried. It was an hour of brilliant fun, we were both laughing our socks off, joining in in all the right places and singing and dancing in our seats. It really is a fabulous show, packed full of memorable songs and funny moments. It’s a treat and a half, and a great way to spend an afternoon.

We’d had such a lot of fun, we decided to do The Lowry Bear Hunt, or as much of it as we could. Around The Lowry and The Lowry Outlet there are lots of big bear benches dotted about, all have a page of bear facts to read. It’s great fun and we loved trying to find them all.

Days Out: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

Upstairs at The Lowry is The Lookout where throughout the summer you can find lots of different and free family activities. On the day we visited there were lots of colouring and craft activities on offer, so we just enjoyed hanging out and doing a bit of colouring together.

We had a brilliant afternoon at The Lowry, there was lots for the boy to do. We both absolutely loved the play and the actual bear hunt was inspired and lots of fun. If you’re stuck in the summer holiday doldrums, an afternoon down Salford Quays is a great way to perk everyone up!

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt runs at The Lowry until 1st September, for more information or to buy tickets, visit the website.

Days Out: We're Going on a Bear Hunt, The Lowry

We were invited guests of The Lowry and received complimentary tickets and a meal in exchange for our review. 

Books: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – Nature Guide Books

We are long time fans of the children’s story book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s a lovely story with lots of scope for learning about and talking about nature and the outdoors. I confess I always feel a little bit sad for the bear at the end. He just looks like he wants to make friends. Poor bear, I’d be his friend.

This week we got our human paws on two new books inspired by the children’s classic; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The books are both published on 6th April 2017 and are available from all good book shops.

Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Nature Guide Books

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: My Adventure Field Guide (£6.99, Walker Books) is a fun field guide, it features some of the artwork from the animated Bear Hunt film which was shown over Christmas. This adventure field guide is packed with information and facts. It is ideal for young nature lovers (and their not quite so young parents).

The guide has a wealth of facts about plants and animals, bugs and birds, clouds, the night sky, the weather, and so much more. For both city and country kids there is so much to discover, from urban streets to the remotest forest. The guide is fact packed, but also has some recipes, science projects, and tips for how children can help protect the environment. 

Books: We're Going on a Bear Hunt - Nature Guide Books

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: My Explorer’s Journal (£8.99, Walker Books) is a brilliant interactive journal for young explorer’s to record, create and experience the natural world. This is a companion to We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: An Adventure Field Guide. It is the perfect place for young nature enthusiasts to record their outdoor experiences; the animals and plants they’ve seen, weather conditions, cloud formations and much, much more.

With lots of space to write or draw what they discover, as well as stick in leaves and flowers. The journal has suggestions for easy art and nature-inspired projects to complete, and invites you to explore the natural world around you. Be inspired by nature and create a keepsake journal of your outdoor adventures.

We spent some time looking through both the guide and the journal. We’re planning some nature walks over the Easter break and these will be perfect to explore as a family. 

Both books are beautifully illustrated, children and fans of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt will love them. I think they’re a great way to develop and encourage a love of nature and the world around us.

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We’re Going on A Bear Hunt – Christmas Eve TV

Each Christmas there’s something special on TV which we all make a point of watching together as a family. This year We’re Going on A Bear Hunt will be shown on Channel 4 at 7.30pm on Christmas Eve. If you miss the Christmas Eve premier, you can catch the repeat on Christmas Day at 5:25pm. 

This screen version of the much loved children’s book by Michael Rosen features the voices of Olivia Coleman, Mark Williams and Pam Ferris. The DVD of We’re Going on A Bear Hunt is scheduled for release on Monday 6th February. The DVD includes a pair of bear ears and some bonus DVD extras. You can watch a sneak preview of the Bear Hunt trailer here…

This beautiful hand-drawn animation is made by Lupus Films, the team behind festive favourites – The Snowman and The Snowdog. This adventurous story is sure to become another Christmas classic.

To celebrate the festive premier of this gorgeous animated story, Walker Books sent us some Bear Hunt goodies and a copy of the book. We’ve added We’re Going on A Bear Hunt to our festive reading collection. We are loving reading this adventurous and beautifully illustrated classic again, knowing we’ll be watching it on Christmas Eve.

Christmas TV: We're Going on A Bear Hunt on Christmas Eve

This beautiful bear to go with the book is made by Aurora. The cuddly bear is available from a range of retailers including Foyles, Waterstones and Amazon. Additionally for Bear Hunt fans, there’s an app which is available to download on iOS and Android devices for £2.99. You can splosh through the river, tiptoe through the cave search for crabs on the beach and even play with the friendly bear himself.

We’re Going on A Bear Hunt is an enchanting story of adventure, perseverance, optimism and a love of nature. We love reading this story at home and it’s a real modern classic which adults and children love in equal measure.

We’ll be watching it this Christmas Eve. Will you be watching too?